Russian Mercenary Leader Claims Victory in Eastern Ukraine City

Reuters reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense also issued a statement on the 20th after the head of the Russian mercenary organization “Wagner Group” (Wagner Group) Prigozhin (Yevgeny Prigozhin) claimed that he had “completely captured” the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut (Bakhmut). Said that the complete capture of Bakhmut, if true, would represent the first major victory of the Russian army in more than 10 months.

Bakhmut was called Artyomovsk in the Soviet era, and Russia still uses this old name today. The statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense consists of only one line, stating that “with the artillery and air support of the (Russian) Southern Group, the offensive of the Wagnerian attack forces has completed the liberation of Artemovsk (Bakhmut)”.

Ukraine earlier denied Prigezin’s claims but has yet to respond to the Russian defense ministry statement.

Major Russian news agencies reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Bakhmut and said he would honor those who have made great contributions. “Putin congratulates Wagner’s attacking forces, as well as all units of the Russian army that provided their support and cover, for completing the task of liberating Artemovsk (Bakhmut),” the Kremlin said in a statement quoted by TASS news agency.

In the past week, the Ukrainian army has repeatedly reported good news, making the fastest progress in nearly six months on the north and south sides of Bakhmut.

Prigozin said his troops would withdraw from Bakhmut within five days, handing over the ruined city to Russian regulars.

In the video released earlier on the 20th, Prigojin, wearing a field uniform, announced in front of a line of fighters: “Today at 12 o’clock at noon, Bahemut has been completely taken. We have completely taken the whole city.”

“This is not true, our troops are still fighting in Bakhmut,” a Ukrainian military spokesman told Reuters earlier.